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As Senior Legal Counsel, Brand at Ferrara Candy Company, Amber Carpenter oversees a wide range of their legal areas, such as intellectual property, marketing and advertising, food and regulatory, and sustainability law.
The Loyola University Chicago School of Law graduate started at a law firm in Chicago and worked on intellectual property law. She is also active in her community, including her nonprofit work for the Pollinator Network of Gardeneers.
What’s a piece of unconventional advice you’ve received that was helpful?
“Own your uniqueness, it’s your power.”
In a legal landscape that can sometimes seem entrenched in tradition and slow to change, recognize that your distinctive perspective, life experiences, and cultural background are invaluable strengths. Resist conforming to norms that don’t fully embrace your identity. Your authenticity—the blend of your cultural heritage, personal style, the way you talk, the way you wear your hair, the music you listen to, where you worship—all sets you apart in the legal sphere. Use this power deliberately, let your voice reshape legal spaces. Every new perspective contributes to the legal environment.
What is the most meaningful case or pro bono experience you’ve worked on?
The most meaningful case or pro bono experience I’ve worked on is through my volunteer efforts with the Greater Chicago Legal Clinic’s expungement and sealing program. In this capacity, I’ve successfully expunged or sealed over fifty individuals’ records. Each person I’ve worked with has a unique and compelling life story, making it challenging to pinpoint one particular experience.
Nevertheless, the impact of providing individuals with a second chance at life is profound and deeply meaningful to me. I don’t take for granted the significance of this work, considering the substantial limitations that the collateral consequences of criminal records can impose on one’s future. Being part of a team that contributes to giving people a fresh start is an honor, and it reinforces my commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of those facing the challenges of a criminal record.
What song or album motivates you the most?
Beyoncé’s “Spirit” from The Lion King: The Gift is a powerful anthem about strength and resilience. For a Black woman lawyer like me, it’s a guiding force to break through barriers, challenge stereotypes, and assert a presence in spaces that may not have embraced diversity. The lyric “Your destiny is comin’ close. Stand up and fight” fuels my determination to pursue every goal with a blend of strength, intelligence, and grace.
Find Amber Carpenter on LinkedIn.
